Mata Mua, goodbye to the jewel of the Thyssen Museum

The famous painting by the painter Paul Gauguin is now packed and has been approved by the Government for sale and export.

The Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza is preparing to release its crown jewel, the exquisite Mata Mua by the French painter Paul Gauguin, one of the recognised fathers of post-impressionism and primitivism.

About the work Mata Mua

This oil on canvas from 1892 expresses the exotic and primitive nature of the daily life of the natives, as depicted by the acclaimed painter during his exile on the island of Tahiti where he sought new inspiration for his works. It is undoubtedly a great loss for the Thyssen Museum, but a great economic windfall, as it is valued at more than 45 million euros.

In addition to Mata Mua, the Thyssen Museum also has the famous works Racehorses in a Landscape by Degas, Martha McKeen, from Wellfleet by Hopper, and Charing Cross Bridge by Monet, all of them owned by Carmen Cervera, on sale.

Mata Mua (Once upon a time) is a song to the original life of the natives #Gauguin https://t.co/lByIL22fLl pic.twitter.com/MNv6jVuBz2

— Thyssen Museum (@MuseoThyssen) June 7, 2016

Reactions to the possible sale

Reactions were not long in coming. One of the most relevant was undoubtedly that of the Minister of Culture and Sport, who has already expressed his opinion on this matter.

Baroness Thyssen has a legitimate right to remove the work Mata Mua from her private collection.

Jose Manuel Rodriguez Uribes

Regarding the bid, the Ministry rules out the possibility of a purchase by its department, given the difficult economic and health circumstances that the country is going through.

Will Mata Mua be exhibited again?

Although it is certain that Mata Mua will leave the Thyssen Museum, the fate of the work is still unknown. A hard farewell, no doubt, since Mata Mua is leaving Spain after many years of love with the country and, in particular, with the capital of Madrid. We can only hope that the person or entity that acquires this precious work will give it up for exhibition so that we can continue to enjoy it in some other country, if possible, one that is not too far away.